In a what-have-you-done-for-anybody-lately? world, what the Astros have done mostly is bring aggravation to their fans.

The Astros are coming off the worst season in their 50-year existence, and there is anguish and uncertainty in the air over a change of ownership and an impending move from the National League to the American League.

No, the Astros have never won a World Series. No, nobody has entered the Hall of Fame proudly wearing an Astros cap.

Still, it hasn’t all been misery. There have been pennant races and NL Championship Series battles and even a World Series appearances. There have been Cy Young Award winners, a Most Valuable Player, a 3,000-hit parade and collection of no-hitters. The team built an eighth wonder of the World, the Astrodome, before spicing up downtown with the 2000 unveiling of Minute Maid Park. As the Astros prepare for their 50th anniversary season, let’s look at their greatest individual performances by position:

First base: Jeff Bagwell

Year:1994Age:26Batting line:.368/.451/.750, with 39 HRs and 116 RBIs in 479 plate appearances.Adjusted on-base-plus-slugging:213Wins Above Replacement:8.9Team record:66-49More to the story:Clearly a no-brainer selection, with Bagwell putting up epic numbers to win the National League Most Valuable Player Award. Bagwell led the league in slugging, RBIs, runs, walks, WAR, adjusted OPS and was second in batting average, on-base percentage and home runs. At the time, his 213 adjusted OPS was the second-highest (behind the 222 Rogers Hornsby posted in batting .424 in 1924). Mark McGwire (1998) and Barry Bonds (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) since have come along to top Bagwell. For good measure, Bagwell won a Gold Glove that season. The strike probably saved Bagwell the MVP award, because he broke his left hand getting hit by an Andy Benes pitch on Aug. 10 and would have missed the rest of the season. Instead, the Astros played their final game on Aug. 11.Runner-up:Bagwell had an 8.3 WAR in 1996, 8.1 in 1997 and led the NL with a 7.7 in 1999. Take your pick.Runner-up, non-Bagwell entry: Lance Berkman, 2008, with a 6.7 WAR, 159 adjusted OPS and fifth-place finish in the MVP voting.

Craig Biggio's bat helped him become one of the Astros all-time greats. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle)

Second base: Craig Biggio

Year: :1997Age:: 31Batting line: .309/.415/.501, with 22 HRs, 81 RBIs and 47 stolen bases in a league-leading 744 plate appearances.Adjusted on-base-plus-slugging: 143Wins Above Replacement: 9.6Team record: 84-78More to the story: The easy assumption is that Jeff Bagwell’s 1994 season is the best performance of any in Astros history. There is a case – a strong one, at that – for Biggio’s 1997 being even better. For starters, Biggio’s 9.6 WAR not only led the NL, but it’s the best in franchise history. Biggio played every game, winning his fourth Gold Glove while leading the league in runs (146, second-most in franchise history). He was fourth in hits, 10th in batting, sixth in on-base percentage. He drew 84 walks and got hit by a franchise-record 34 pitches, annoying opponents to no end.Runner-up: Biggio has four of the top six seasons WARs in franchise history for a second baseman, including 6.6 in 1995 and 1998. Runner-up, non-Biggio entry: Joe Morgan, 1965, 5.5 WAR and a 131 adjusted OPS.

Shortstop: Dickie ThonYear: 1983Age: 25Batting line: .286/.341/.457, with 20 HRs, 79 RBIs and 34 stolen bases in 686 plate appearances.Adjusted on-base-plus-slugging: 127Wins Above Replacement: 6.8Team record: 81-81More to the story: Thon did it all, leading the team in home runs and stolen bases while ranking second in RBIs while providing standout defense at a premium position. He had the fourth-highest WAR in the National League and finished seventh in the Most Valuable Player voting. Thon hadn’t even reached a player’s peak years when he got beaned by the New York Mets’ Mike Torrez on April 8, 1984. He was never the same, surpassing a WAR value of 2 only once (in 1989, at 2.2) the rest of his career.Runner-up: Thon, 1982, 5.6 WAR. Runner-up, non-Thon entry: Dennis Menke, 1970, with a 127 adjusted OPS and 4.4 WAR.

After a monster season with the Astros, Morgan Ensberg's career fizzled. ( Brian Bahr/Getty)

Third base: Morgan EnsbergYear: 2005Age: 29Batting line: .283/.388/557, with 36 HRs and 101 RBIs in 624 plate appearances.Adjusted on-base-plus-slugging: 144Wins Above Replacement: 6.5Team record: 89-73More to the story: A late bloomer (surpassed the career 200 at-bat plateau during his age-27 season), Ensberg had a relative short shelf life as an impact player. His best season was the one that helped the Astros to their one and only World Series appearance. Ensberg was sixth in WAR and fourth in the MVP voting, ranking eighth in OPS and ninth in slugging, total bases and home runs. During a four-year run, Ensberg produced three of the top five seasonal WARs by a third baseman in franchise history. He played only 270 games after that 2005 season, though, batting .230.Runner-up: Ken Caminiti, 5.1 WAR, in 1989.

Left field: Jose CruzYear: 1984Age: 36Batting line: .312/.381./462, with 12HRs, 95 RBIs, 96 runs and 22 steals in 685 plate appearances.Adjusted on-base-plus-slugging: 145Wins Above Replacement: 6.9Team record: 80-82More to the story: What an odd career for a franchise icon. His two best seasons statistically came in his age 35 and 36 seasons. Cruz had the second-highest WAR in the NL in 1984, surpassed only by Ryne Sandberg’s magical MVP season for the Chicago Cubs. A sixth-place finish in batting, on-base-percentage and runs landed Cruz eighth in the MVP voting.Runner-up: Moises Alou, 1998, 6.6 WAR and 157 adjusted OPS.

Center field: Cesar CedenoYear: 1972Age: 21Batting line: .320/.385/.537, with 22 HRs, 82 RBIs, 103 Rs and 55 SBs in 625 plate appearances.Adjusted on-base-plus-slugging: 162Wins Above Replacement: 8.2Team record: 84-69More to the story: Did things ever look bright for the Astros in those days. They were a talent-laden team with a super-star-in-the-making in Cedeno, whom manager Leo Durocher proclaimed to be every bit as talented as Willie Mays. Cedeno could do it all, which in 1972 meant ranking fourth in batting, slugging and WAR, sixth in on-base percentage, third in OPS, fifth in runs and third in stolen bases. He had a .975 OPS with runners on base and oh yeah, won a Gold Glove. He never had a season quite like that again and ever made an All-Star team after age 25.Runner-up: Jimmy Wynn, 1969, 8.1 WAR and 166 adjusted OPS. Really, the two seasons are a coin flip. Cedeno played in only 139 games in 1972 but finished sixth in the MVP voting. Wynn was 15th in the MVP voting in 1969, though that’s more an indictment of the voters than him. His WAR that season was sixth-highest in the league.

Right fielder: Jimmy WynnYear: 1972Age: 30Batting line: .273/.389/.470, with 24 HRs and 90 RBIs, 117 runs, 103 walks and 17 stolen bases in 652 plate appearances.Adjusted on-base-plus-slugging: 146Wins Above Replacement: 6.1Team record: 84-69More to the story: Wynn was in the wrong place at the wrong time for people to truly appreciate the totality of his game. He played in an era when there was little recognition for the importance of getting on base and drawing walks – two of the staples of his game – and scant understanding of ballpark effects. Wynn’s career .250 batting average obscured the fact he ranked among the top 10 in the NL in on-base percentage seven times. From 1965-1974, Wynn was among the top 10 in WAR five times. He cracked the top 10 in the MVP voting only once, though, and that was with the pennant-winning Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974. His 1972 numbers may not jump off the page at first glance, but he was fifth in on-base percentage, 10th in home runs, seventh in RBIs, third in runs, second in walks and 10th in WAR.Runner-up: Richard Hidalgo, 2003, 5.8 WAR and 143 adjusted OPS.

Catcher: Joe FergusonYear: 1977Age: 30Batting line: .257/.379/.435, with 16 HRs and 61 RBIs in 511 plate appearances.Adjusted on-base-plus-slugging: 127Wins Above Replacement: 4.8Team record: 81-81More to the story: Came to the Astros in a trade the previous November that sent Larry Dierker to the St. Louis Cardinals and delivered the highest adjusted OPS of any Astro to catch at least 100 games in a season. Though Ferguson had a lukewarm-at-best defensive reputation (NL-high 16 passed balls to go with 32 wild pitches during his 1052.2 innings behind the plate in ’77), he threw out 39 percent of opposing base stealers. It’s also worth noting that backup catcher allowed even high rates of passed balls and wild pitches (7 and 13 in 387 innings) while throwing out only 25 percent of base stealers.Runner-up: Craig Biggio, 1991, .295/.358/.375, with 4 HR, 46 RBIs, 29 SBs, 27-percent CS rate, 4.2 WAR.

Starting pitcher No. 1: Mike ScottYear: 1986Age: 31Pitching line: 18-10 and 2.22 ERA, with 37 starts, 275.1 IP, 182 H, 72 BB, 306 K, 7 CG, 5 SHOAdjusted ERA: 161Team record: 96-66More to the story: Scott made the transition from journeyman righthander (29-44, 4.45 ERA) to Cy Young Award winner with the development of a split-finger fastball. Opponents insisted Scott helped along his repertoire by perfecting a scuffball. Scott led the Astros to the National League West title in 1986, leading the league in ERA, innings, strikeouts and shutouts. The Astros were 24-13 in games started by Scott, who went at least seven innings 30 times. He turned in 33 quality starts, the most notable being a no-hitter that clinched the division title, and limited opponents to a .225 average. He managed all that dominance while allowing 41 stolen bases in 53 attempts. Scott was so overwhelming in two complete-game victories in the NL Championship Series, he was voted the MVP despite pitching for the losing team. In 18 innings against Scott, the Mets managed one run on eight hits with one walk and 19 strikeouts.

Larry Dierker was the first 20-game winner in franchise history. ( Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle)

Starting pitcher No. 2: Larry DierkerYear: 1969Age: 22Pitching line: 20-13 and 2.33 ERA, with 37 starts, 305.1 IP, 240 H, 72 BB, 233 K, 20 CG, 4 SHOAdjusted ERA: 152Team record: 81-81More to the story: With Dierker becoming the first 20-game winner in franchise history, the Astros flirted with contention for the first time before fading. Dierker set franchise records that still stand in innings pitched and complete games. He was sixth in the NL in ERA, innings and strikeouts while allowing a .214 batting average. He threw 12 shutout innings without getting a decisions once and worked 11 innings another time to earn a 2-1 victory. The Astros were 22-15 (.594) when Dierker started, 59-66 (.472) when he didn’t. He lost 1-0 twice, 2-0 another time and worked seven or more innings 30 times. The five pitchers who finished ahead of Dierker in ERA that season were four Hall of Famers (Juan Marichal, Steve Carlton, Bob Gibson, Tom Seaver) and a 222-game winner (Jerry Koosman).

Starting pitcher No. 3: Roger ClemensYear: 2005Age: 42Pitching line: 13-8 and 1.87 ERA, with 32 starts, 211.1 IP, 151 H, 62 BB, 185K, 1 CG, 0 SHOAdjusted ERA: 226Team record: 89-73More to the story: In terms of pure pitching efficiency, no Astro starter in history can match what Clemens did in his age-42 season. Clemens let the league in ERA and hits allowed per nine innings (6.43, with a .198 batting average) but had buzzard’s luck. The Astros got shut out four times went 15-17 in 32 starts by Clemens, who finished third in the Cy Young voting. Clemens pitched seven or more scoreless innings four time without getting a victory. In other words, Clemens is one of the few pitchers qualified to trade horror stories of non-support with fellow former Astro Nolan Ryan (8-16 while leading the NL with a 2.76 ERA in 1987). Really, the only thing keeping Clemens from climbing in the pecking order was his inability to churn out the innings the way Scott and Dierker did. Clemens was 20th in the NL – and third on his team, behind Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte – in innings pitched.

Starting pitcher No. 4: J.R. RichardYear: 1979Age: 29Pitching line: 18-13 and 2.71 ERA, with 38 starts, 292.1 IP, 22o H, 98 BB, 313 K, 19 CGs, 4 SHOAdjusted ERA: 130Team record: 89-73More to the story: Richard entered the league with almost unhittable stuff, but a lack of control get in the way of sustained greatness. He led the league in walks three times in a four-year stretch before harnessing his considerable gifts in 1979. With his walk rate dropping from 4.6 per nine innings the previous season to 3.0, Richard led the league in ERA, strikeouts and hits per nine innings (6.773) and was second in wins, innings and complete games. Scarier still, Richard was even better in 1980 (10-4, 1.90, with 119 strikeouts in 113 innings) before a stroke ended his career with litany of what-ifs. If not for the stroke, could Richard have helped get the Astros over the top in the 1980 National League Championship Series? If not for the stroke, how much more could Richard have accomplished?

Lefthanded reliever: Billy WagnerYear: 1999Age: 27Pitching line: 4-1, 39 saves, 1.57 ERA, with 23 BB and 124 K in 74.2 IPAdjusted ERA: 286Team record: :97-65More to the story: Actually, there’s a strong case for Wagner’s 2003 season being even more valuable. Wagner had a 1.78 ERA and 44 saves in 2003 while working 86 innings and allowing a .169 batting average. For sheer dominance, Wagner’s 2009 season carries the day. Wagner allowed 4.2 hits and struck out 14.95 batters – the fourth highest in history for any reliever with at least 50 appearances – per nine innings. His batting average allowed: .135, with an equally sublime on-base-plus-slugging allowed of .420. You know the dreaded Mendoza line, named in dishonor of light-hitting shortstop Mario Mendoza? Well, Mendoza had a career .215 average and .507. Mendoza looked like a slugger next to the poor hitters who had to face Wagner in 1999.Other lefty performances of note: Hal Woodeshick, 1963 (11-9, 10 saves, 114.0 IP, 94 K), Joe Sambito, 1980 (8-4, 17 saves, 2.19 ERA, 90.1 IP, 75K)

Brad Lidge's 2004 season was a one to remember. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle)

Righthanded reliever: Brad LidgeYear: 2004Age: 28Pitching line: 6-5, 29 saves, 1.90 ERA, with 30 BB and 157 K in 94.2 IPAdjusted ERA: 230Team record: 92-70More to the story: Sure, Lidge saved 43 games while posting a 2.20 ERA in 2005. Still, Lidge’s 2004 stands out as the most valuable by an Astros righty reliever. For one thing, Lidge worked 24 more innings in 2004 than in 2005. For another, Lidge was at his absolute most dominant: 5.4 hits and 14.93 strikeouts per nine innings. Lidge finished eighth in the Cy Young Award voting, limiting opponents to a .174 batting average. His strikeout rate was the fifth highest in history of anybody making more than 50 relief appearances in a season. And at that point in his career, Lidge still didn’t have any Albert Pujols scars.Other righty performances of note: Octavio Dotel, 2002 (97.1 IP, 1.85 ERA, 118 K); Doug Jones, 1992 (11-8, 36 saves, 1.85 ERA in 111.2 IP), Larry Andersen, 1989 (87.2 IP, 1.54 ERA, 85 K), Dave Smith (1.65 ERA and 24 saves in 1987, 1.93 ERA in 102.2 IP in 1980).